Ida Rentoul Outhwaite – Illustrations for The Enchanted Forest 1921

Ida Rentoul Outhwaite,  (9 June 1888 – 25 June 1960), was an Australian illustrator of children’s books. Her work mostly depicted fairies.

Outhwaite’s first illustration was published by New Idea magazine in 1904 when she was just 15 years of age – it accompanied a story written by her older sister, Anne Rattray Rentoul. In the years that followed, the sisters collaborated on a number of stories.

Following her marriage to Grenbry Outhwaite in 1909, she also collaborated with her husband – most notably for The Enchanted Forest (1921), The Little Fairy Sister (1923) and Fairyland (1926). In a number of cases, her children – Robert, Anne, Wendy and William – served as models for her illustrations. She inspired a number of artists including Edith Alsop, Ethel Spowers and Ethel Jackson Morris.

I’m pleased to present one of Ida Outhwaite’s most beautiful illustrated book. The Enchanted Forest. First edition, published in 1921 by A.C. Black. With 31 illustrations, 16 tipped-in plates and 15 B/W illustrations. Ida Rentoul Outhwaite is Australia’s most famous children’s book illustrator and is among the best Golden Age woman illustrators. You can easily see why in the wonderful B/W illustrations and her delicate watercolors of the little fairies.

Art Gallery: Ida Rentoul Outhwaite – The Enchanted Forest 1921